I was convinced back in 2007, when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made up of climate scientists, concluded for the first time that “global warming is ‘unequivocal’ and that human activity is the main driver, ‘very likely’ causing most of the rise in temperatures since 1950.” Although many climate scientists had been warning of the effects of climate change for years, this was the first time that the expert Panel stated with near certainty that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities have been the main causes of global warming. Furthermore, unless societies shift away from their reckless and basically unregulated burning of coal and oil, the main sources of carbon dioxide, experts predicted continued increases in global warming, with resultant drastic consequences. Rosenthal, E. & Revkin, A. “Science Panel Calls Global Warming ‘Unequivocal’”, The New York Times, February 3, 2007, retrieved July 2, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/03/science/earth/03climate.html?_r=1.
Accordingly, it would seem abundantly clear to most rational people that the time to argue about whether science has proven the existence of climate change is long over. But not some politicians, who, it could be argued, are neither rational, nor people concerned with the future of our planet. Just the other day, in what has been called the defining moment of the recent debate regarding the recently passed climate change legislation, Republican Representative Paul Broun of Georgia stated that climate change is nothing but a “hoax” that has been “perpetrated out of the scientific community.” Worse yet, his declaration was met with applause. Needless to say, I do not agree with Broun, but heartily agree with Paul Krugman’s assessment: this is nothing short of “treason against the planet.” Krugman, P. “Betraying the Planet”, The New York Times, June 28, 2009, retrieved on July 2, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/opinion/29krugman.html.
Maybe citizens like Representative Broun will start believing in climate change science when it starts having a direct impact on something he and every other American does every day, and likely take for granted: drink water. Scientists have now proven that climate change is directly responsible for the shrinking of glaciers worldwide, which can have devastating effects. Glaciers store 80 percent of the world's fresh water for people in many countries, including the U.S. In order to receive the water we need, the glaciers must melt, but slowly, and not nearly as fast as they are now doing. Furthermore, if glaciers continue melting at such an accelerated pace, the sea-level will rise significantly, resulting in world-wide destruction of coastal communities and the displacement of millions of people. Tyson, P. “Vanishing Into Thin Air”, NOVA website, retrieved July 2, 2009 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mtblanc/vanishing.html. Maybe if more folks would think about where their water comes from, they would wake up and stop wasting water and continuing other harmful behaviors that are directly causing the loss of a life-sustaining resource.
Other noticeable effects of climate change are already occurring across the U.S. like shifting migration patterns of butterflies in the West and heavier downpours in the Midwest and East, according to a recently released government study. The study also mentions an increase in drought here in the Southwest and more powerful heat waves in the Northeast as a result of climate change. Findings such as this certainly help support and reinforce my belief that climate change is real, but also provide some hope because “[o]ur destiny is really in our hands”. Broder, J. “Government Study Warns of Climate Change Effects”, The New York Times, June 16, 2009, retrieved on July 2, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/science/earth/16climate.html
Furthermore, as I stated in an earlier posting, I am still persuaded that although the current climate change legislation is not perfect, it is both long overdue and necessary. “After all the years of denial, after all the years of inaction, we finally have a chance to do something major about climate change.” Krugman, P., The Perfect, the Good, the Planet, New York Times, Published: May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2009, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=3. And it’s about time.
I believe that more people are now seriously thinking about the importance of reversing climate change. Unfortunately, one result of our very highly technological society is that people have come to expect immediate gratification and immediate solutions to our problems. But after more people see and learn about the devastating effects our actions are having on the environment, I am hopeful that they, like me, will be willing to step back a bit and realize that the answers to Global Warming, and most other environmental and conservation issues for that matter, need careful thought and consideration and cannot be solved overnight.
I also think that the science surrounding and proving climate change has finally been accepted as fact and, therefore, there is no reason for further debate on the issue. As a result, I see the Global Warming movement correctly moving into a type of second phase, where it seeks to connect with folks on an emotional level. Emotional appeal is a great way to engage folks and I think the Repower America TV commercials, referenced earlier in this blog, are very effective and I hope they are connecting with a large audience.
While the concept of Global Warming is disconcerting, to say the least, I prefer to look at the positive side. As stated by Paul Hawken in the movie "The 11th Hour", "What a great time to be alive because this generation gets to essentially completely change this world." And let's hope it is for the better.
